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Advice on an '81 for sale

jc_chandler

Well-known member
Member
City
Denver
State
CO
I've been lurking on here for a while and checking out the occasional Scrambler for sale within striking distance of me. I finally sold my project XJ and have room in the garage for the Scrambler I've always wanted. I'm not new to CJs (owned an '86 CJ7 about 15 years ago that I had a lot of fun working on) or Jeeps in general (hence the XJ and my DD/trail Jeep is a JKU). Anyway, there's an 81 for sale at the Worldwide Vintage Autos near me (don't know much about them, link below). I'm aware of the major shortcomings of 81s; narrow-track axles, the SR4 stick, and lap belts. I was hoping you all could help me prep for checking this one out, anything that looks off or weird or whatever. The half doors and uppers are probably from a YJ right? The half cab almost looks aftermarket to me too. There's no seatbelts but I'm assuming there's only provisions for lap ones. There are missing dash knobs. The carb is definitely aftermarket. The exhaust manifold also looks aftermarket. The firewall also looks a bit off to me, almost like there's stuff missing, but maybe that's simply because it doesn't have power brakes? Is there anything else from the pictures that jumps out to anyone? What else should I find out about when/if I do go see it? My ultimate goal is to have a nice weekend cruiser that doesn't need a ton of rust repair. I can weld but I'd rather spend my time on other aspects. Thanks in advance!

https://www.worldwidevintageautos.com/vehicles/3255/1981-jeep-scrambler
 

Ron84cj

Engine nerd
Lifetime Member
City
West Bend
State
WI
Top is not original to the jeep. You can see the holes are plugged where the shoulder belts would go. Seats look like reupholstered yj seats. Not sure what the center council is out of but not original. I hope someone else can chime in but the bed floor looks like it has been replaced. If so, this thing may have had a lot of rust repair. I can't tell by the pics. Original tubs that haven't had work done will NOT be perfectly smooth and straight on the sides. You will see little dimples everywhere from where the side panels are attached to the floor. If the sides are perfectly smooth there is body filler (Bondo).
 

Ron84cj

Engine nerd
Lifetime Member
City
West Bend
State
WI
It may be a nice jeep, but in my opinion the price is a bit high. I think you can find a really nice driver in the mid teens if you keep your eyes open. Just my opinion.
 

bigwalton

Alaskan Postal nutjob
FORUM MANAGER
SOA Member
City
Dexter
State
MI
Beware. Looks like someone sprayed the body with the dash in (dash hold down plates and bolts body color). I’d be crawling all over it and have a cheap fridge magnet to go over the likely bondo spots. This is screaming a minimal-effort flip to me :shrug: just my take.
 

FLCJ8

Legacy Registered User
City
Palm Bay
State
FL
Not to pile on, but...
It looks like the firewall wiring harness connector is missing, hoses/cables running through openings in firewall, some kind of modified trans. support, YJ side view mirrors, missing license plate bracket, etc.
On a positive note, it appears the tailgate hinges were installed properly. :rolleyes:
 
City
Toledo
State
OH
I've been lurking on here for a while and checking out the occasional Scrambler for sale within striking distance of me. I finally sold my project XJ and have room in the garage for the Scrambler I've always wanted. I'm not new to CJs (owned an '86 CJ7 about 15 years ago that I had a lot of fun working on) or Jeeps in general (hence the XJ and my DD/trail Jeep is a JKU). Anyway, there's an 81 for sale at the Worldwide Vintage Autos near me (don't know much about them, link below). I'm aware of the major shortcomings of 81s; narrow-track axles, the SR4 stick, and lap belts. I was hoping you all could help me prep for checking this one out, anything that looks off or weird or whatever. The half doors and uppers are probably from a YJ right? The half cab almost looks aftermarket to me too. There's no seatbelts but I'm assuming there's only provisions for lap ones. There are missing dash knobs. The carb is definitely aftermarket. The exhaust manifold also looks aftermarket. The firewall also looks a bit off to me, almost like there's stuff missing, but maybe that's simply because it doesn't have power brakes? Is there anything else from the pictures that jumps out to anyone? What else should I find out about when/if I do go see it? My ultimate goal is to have a nice weekend cruiser that doesn't need a ton of rust repair. I can weld but I'd rather spend my time on other aspects. Thanks in advance!

https://www.worldwidevintageautos.com/vehicles/3255/1981-jeep-scrambler
You should just buy my project that way you make it how you want it,I have two to make one all parts minus top and seats,1981and 1984both have titles,5000.00..obo..Toledo Ohio 5678686129
 

Kim Dawson

CJ-8 Member
Member
City
Molalla
State
Or
Looks like a nice upgraded base model that should be enjoyable to drive. Interesting how they placed the decals down low covering the area where the side moldings would have gone. Certainly not a Collins Bros restoration. Sometimes we can be too picky when we see some things that should or could have been different. Price seems a little high but it depends on how nice the body really is and the condition of the drive train. Could be a nice Scrambler to enjoy now.
 

AdamH

Scrambler Junkie
BENEFACTOR
Gold Member
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Mt Holly
State
NC
Agree 100% with @bigwalton And others above. too many things skipped / left off. Looks like a quick flip jobber that is overpriced
 

barrys

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
City
East Norriton
State
PA
For the asking price, I would expect fan/heater control knobs to all be present even if an after market heater was installed or removed just for looks if nothing else, a "real" air cleaner, and the proper license plate mount. The engine also appears it may be an older one with the stamped steel valve cover. Seller states they really know nothing about the engine other than it is a 6 cylinder.
It would look nice driving down the road though.
 

ag4ever

Average Nut
BENEFACTOR
Gold Member
Silver Member
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Richmond
State
TX
Engine has a Clifford intake and tubular exhaust.

Way funky transfer case support that drops way too low for a factory AMC I6 and Dana 300 combo. There could be some odd transmission / transfer case combo in it.

With everything mentioned above, I would look it over very closely. If all you want is a good looking driver, it might be good, but not worth the asking price. Just too many red flags.
 
Last edited:

93_Fummins

CJ-8 Member
City
Edmond
State
OK
I have a sneaky suspicion that is either a T98 or T18 with Dana 18 or 20 combo that is in it, judging from the shifter and knob. Probably what prompted the "custom" crossmember too.
 
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